About Us

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to educate the public that 1 in 5 children are sexually abused; abuse of children is the precursor to sex trafficking, addictions, incarceration, and more. We want to prevent this trauma and the domino effect of social ills through effective teaching and training.

Our vision is to stop the sexual abuse of children.

Discover the “Why” Behind Our Mission

Stop Trafficking US was founded in 2015 by Catherine Ann Wilson to motivate people to stop the sexual abuse and exploitation of children through community education, prevention, and outreach.

We identify education needs in our local Maine and national communities. Then, we fundraise to hire the most qualified subject experts to speak and train audiences on topics like child exploitation and sex trafficking.

Today, Stop Trafficking US hosts numerous free trainings and conferences, virtually and in-person, educating first responders, educators, faith communities, parents, students, and more.

Meet Catherine Ann Wilson

Founder & Survivor

Abused repeatedly from first grade on for nearly 20 years of her life, Catherine Ann Wilson spent most of her years from age 12-17 living on the street. By age 15, starving and desperate, she was lured into sex trafficking. After finding her own freedom from suffering and thriving in her late 40s, she founded Stop Trafficking US.

Read Catherine’s inspiring story and learn more about the important work she’s doing in our local and national communities.

Learn More

Why Our Work Matters to Every Child

The Starfish Story

A young girl was walking along a beach where thousands of starfish had been washed up on shore during an astronomical high tide. One by one, she would pick them up and throw them back into the ocean.

People watched her with amusement. She had been doing this for some time when a cranky old man approached her and said, “Honey, you should go back home and play. These starfish have been out of the water too long. There are too many of them to save. By the time you throw them back in the water…well, it just won’t matter!”

The girl didn’t say a word. Instead, defiantly, she bent down, picked up a starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “It mattered to that one!”

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon, others joined, and many starfish were saved.

Adapted from The Star Thrower

- Chris McLaughlin

LCSW, Associate Vice President, Community & Pediatric Services

“On behalf of the Maine Chapter of the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care, I am so thankful to Catherine for sharing her story with such heart and courage. The education provided to our members is invaluable in the work they do with clients across Maine.”

- Christine Thibeault

Assistant District Attorney, Cumberland County

“Mrs. Wilson and Stop Trafficking US have been integral in shaping Maine’s sex trafficking laws and they have brought several national experts to Maine to help schools, faith-based organizations and other youth-serving agencies improve efforts to prevent and heal child sexual abuse.”

- Jonathan Sahrbeck

District Attorney, Cumberland County

“We are grateful to have Catherine and Stop Trafficking US in Cumberland County because of their tireless work to end this practice of modern slavery. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Catherine and Stop Trafficking US for their community work.”

- Carey Nason

Executive Director, St. Andre Home, CourageLIVES

“Catherine has supported the survivors served through CourageLIVES in many ways. She has provided workshops and training opportunities for them and has been a support for them as they navigate their journeys.”